RAF sign up with Stonewall

By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • January 2, 2007 - 13:59

Officers will receive training in ways to encourage an inclusive environment.

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The Royal Air Force has become the second of the Armed Forces to join the Stonewall Diversity Programme.

The Royal Navy is already a member of the scheme, which is designed to help organisations and businesses recruit and retain LGBT staff and promote equality in the workplace.

Stonewall chief executive Ben Summerskill described the decision as

"courageous."

The Royal Air Force, in common the the other Armed Forces, is suffering from a slump in recruitment. Officers will receive training in ways to encourage an inclusive environment.

The RAF's decision is yet another coup for the Programme. High profile organisations who are now part of the scheme include the Conservative Party, Manchester City football club and hundreds of City firms as well as local councils and government departments.

Stonewall publish a diversity index of the top 100 employers in the scheme, based on the benchmarking they undertake with clients.

Many of the best performers are national and local public organisations, such as Staffordshire Police, currently top of the chart, the Department for Work and Pensions, Manchester City Council and the Department of Trade and Industry.

There are 13 police forces in the top 100, along with the Home Office, HM Prison Service, HM Revenue Customs and the CPS.

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